Amba's Austerities and Her Birth as a River

Verse 1 (5.186.1)

प्रत्यक्षमेतल्लोकानां सर्वेषामेव भामिनि । यथाशक्त्या मया युद्धं कृतं वै पौरुषं परम् ॥

pratyakṣametallokānāṃ sarveṣāmeva bhāmini | yathāśaktyā mayā yuddhaṃ kṛtaṃ vai pauruṣaṃ param

"Before the eyes of all the worlds, lady, I have fought as well as I could and shown the utmost manliness."

Verse 2 (5.186.2)

न चैवमपि शक्नोमि भीष्मं शस्त्रभृतां वरम् । विशेषयितुमत्यर्थमुत्तमास्त्राणि दर्शयन् ॥

na caivamapi śaknomi bhīṣmaṃ śastrabhṛtāṃ varam | viśeṣayitumatyarthamuttamāstrāṇi darśayan

"Yet even so, though I displayed my finest weapons, I cannot gain the upper hand over Bhishma, the best of those who bear arms."

Verse 3 (5.186.3)

एषा मे परमा शक्तिरेतन्मे परमं बलम् । यथेष्टं गम्यतां भद्रे किमन्यद्वा करोमि ते ॥

eṣā me paramā śaktiretanme paramaṃ balam | yatheṣṭaṃ gamyatāṃ bhadre kimanyadvā karomi te

"This is my utmost power, this my utmost strength. Go where you please, good lady; what else can I do for you?"

Verse 4 (5.186.4)

भीष्ममेव प्रपद्यस्व न तेऽन्या विद्यते गतिः । निर्जितो ह्यस्मि भीष्मेण महास्त्राणि प्रमुञ्चता ॥

bhīṣmameva prapadyasva na te'nyā vidyate gatiḥ | nirjito hyasmi bhīṣmeṇa mahāstrāṇi pramuñcatā

"Take refuge with Bhishma himself; there is no other course left to you. For I have been beaten by Bhishma as he loosed his great weapons."

Verse 5 (5.186.5)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो रामो विनिःश्वस्य महामनाः । तूष्णीमासीत्ततः कन्या प्रोवाच भृगुनन्दनम् ॥

evamuktvā tato rāmo viniḥśvasya mahāmanāḥ | tūṣṇīmāsīttataḥ kanyā provāca bhṛgunandanam

Having said this, the great-minded Rama sighed and fell silent. Then the maiden spoke to the joy of the Bhrigus:

Note on the text: Corrected तूष्मीमासीत् → तूष्णीमासीत् and कनक्या → कन्या (misprints in Wikisource; म for ण and a stray akshara; the critical edition reads tūṣṇīm āsīt and kanyā). Speaker set to Bhishma: Rama's speech ends with verse 4 and the critical edition prints भीष्म उवाच here (5.187.5); the input carried राम over.

Verse 6 (5.186.6)

भगवन्नेवमेवैतद्यथाऽऽह भगवांस्तथा । अजेयो युधि भीष्मोऽयमपि देवैरुदारधीः ॥

bhagavannevamevaitadyathā''ha bhagavāṃstathā | ajeyo yudhi bhīṣmo'yamapi devairudāradhīḥ

"Lord, it is just as your reverence says. This noble-minded Bhishma cannot be conquered in battle even by the gods."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Amba: the verse is wholly her speech, introduced by verse 5 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 7 (5.186.7)

यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं मम कार्यं कृतं त्वया । अनिवार्यं रणे वीर्यमस्त्राणि विविधानि च ॥

yathāśakti yathotsāhaṃ mama kāryaṃ kṛtaṃ tvayā | anivāryaṃ raṇe vīryamastrāṇi vividhāni ca

"You have done my cause all that your strength and zeal allowed, with your irresistible valour in battle and your many kinds of weapons."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Amba: the verse is wholly her speech, introduced by verse 5 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 8 (5.186.8)

न चैव शक्यते युद्धे विशेषयितुमन्ततः । न चाहमेनं यास्यामि पुनर्भीष्मं कथंचन ॥

na caiva śakyate yuddhe viśeṣayitumantataḥ | na cāhamenaṃ yāsyāmi punarbhīṣmaṃ kathaṃcana

"In the end he cannot be overcome in battle; and I will never again go to this Bhishma."

Note on the text: Corrected ने → न (misprint in Wikisource; a stray vowel sign; the critical edition reads na). Speaker set to Amba: the verse is wholly her speech, introduced by verse 5 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 9 (5.186.9)

गमिष्यामि तु तत्राहं यत्र भीष्मं तपोधन । समरे पातयिष्यामि स्वयमेव भृगूद्वह ॥

gamiṣyāmi tu tatrāhaṃ yatra bhīṣmaṃ tapodhana | samare pātayiṣyāmi svayameva bhṛgūdvaha

"Rather, O rich in austerity, I shall go where I myself can bring Bhishma down in battle, O best of the Bhrigus."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Amba: the verse is wholly her speech, introduced by verse 5 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 10 (5.186.10)

एवमुक्त्वा ययौ कन्या रोषव्याकुललोचना । तापस्ये धृतसंकल्पा सा मे चिन्तयती वधम् ॥

evamuktvā yayau kanyā roṣavyākulalocanā | tāpasye dhṛtasaṃkalpā sā me cintayatī vadham

Saying this, the maiden went away, her eyes troubled with fury, resolved on austerity and brooding on my death.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 11 (5.186.11)

ततो महेन्द्रं सहितैर्मुनिभिर्भृगुसत्तमः । यथाऽऽगतं तथा सोऽगन्मामुपामन्त्र्य भारत ॥

tato mahendraṃ sahitairmunibhirbhṛgusattamaḥ | yathā''gataṃ tathā so'ganmāmupāmantrya bhārata

Then the best of the Bhrigus took leave of me, O Bharata, and went back with the sages to Mahendra, just as he had come.

Note on the text: Corrected सहितैरमुनिभिर् → सहितैर्मुनिभिर् (misprint in Wikisource; a stray vowel turns munibhiḥ into amunibhiḥ; the critical edition reads munibhir). Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 12 (5.186.12)

ततो रथं समारुह्य स्तूयमानो द्विजातिभिः । प्रविश्य नगरं मात्रे सत्यवत्यै न्यवेदयम् ॥

tato rathaṃ samāruhya stūyamāno dvijātibhiḥ | praviśya nagaraṃ mātre satyavatyai nyavedayam

Then I mounted my chariot and, praised by the brahmins, entered the city and told my mother Satyavati

Note on the text: This verse is CE 5.187.12ab–cd; the critical edition divides verses 12–14 differently, so the alignment left them unmatched. Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 13 (5.186.13)

यथावृत्तं महाराज सा च मां प्रत्यनन्दत । पुरुषांश्चादिशं प्राज्ञान्कन्यावृत्तान्तकर्मणि ॥

yathāvṛttaṃ mahārāja sā ca māṃ pratyanandata | puruṣāṃścādiśaṃ prājñānkanyāvṛttāntakarmaṇi

all that had happened, great king, and she rejoiced with me. I set wise men to the task of following the maiden's doings,

Note on the text: The first line is CE 5.187.12ef, the second CE 5.187.13ab (the critical edition divides these verses differently). Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 14 (5.186.14)

दिवसे दिवसे ह्यस्या गतिजल्पितचेष्टितम् । प्रत्याहरंश्च मे युक्ताः स्थिताः प्रियहिते सदा ॥

divase divase hyasyā gatijalpitaceṣṭitam | pratyāharaṃśca me yuktāḥ sthitāḥ priyahite sadā

and day after day, ever intent on my welfare, those diligent men brought me word of where she went, what she said and what she did.

Note on the text: This verse is CE 5.187.13cd–ef (the critical edition divides these verses differently). Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 15 (5.186.15)

यदैव हि वनं प्रायात्सा कन्या तपसे धृता । तदैव व्यथितो दीनो गतचेता इवाभवम् ॥

yadaiva hi vanaṃ prāyātsā kanyā tapase dhṛtā | tadaiva vyathito dīno gatacetā ivābhavam

From the very moment that maiden went to the forest, set on austerity, I was distressed and wretched, as if out of my senses.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 16 (5.186.16)

न हि मां क्षत्रियः कश्चिद्वीर्येण व्यजयद्युधि । ऋते ब्रह्मविदस्तात तपसा संशितव्रतात् ॥

na hi māṃ kṣatriyaḥ kaścidvīryeṇa vyajayadyudhi | ṛte brahmavidastāta tapasā saṃśitavratāt

For no kshatriya has ever overcome me by valour in battle, my son, save only one who knows Brahman and has sharpened his vows by austerity.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 17 (5.186.17)

अपि चैतन्मया राजन्नारदेऽपि निवेदितम् । व्यासे चैव तथा कार्यं तौ चोभौ मामवोचताम् ॥

api caitanmayā rājannārade'pi niveditam | vyāse caiva tathā kāryaṃ tau cobhau māmavocatām

Moreover, O king, I told this to Narada and to Vyasa as well, as was fitting, and they both said to me:

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 18 (5.186.18)

न विषादस्त्वया कार्यो भीष्म काशिसुतां प्रति । दैवं पुरुषकारेण को निवर्तितुमुत्सहेत् ॥

na viṣādastvayā kāryo bhīṣma kāśisutāṃ prati | daivaṃ puruṣakāreṇa ko nivartitumutsahet

"Do not grieve, Bhishma, over the daughter of Kashi. Who can turn back fate by human effort?"

Note on the text: Speaker set to Narada and Vyasa: the verse is wholly their reply to Bhishma, introduced by verse 17 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 19 (5.186.19)

सा कन्या तु महाराज प्रविश्याश्रममण्डलम् । यमुनातीरमाश्रित्य तपस्तेपेऽतिमानुषम् ॥

sā kanyā tu mahārāja praviśyāśramamaṇḍalam | yamunātīramāśritya tapastepe'timānuṣam

Then, great king, the maiden entered a circle of hermitages and, settling on the bank of the Yamuna, performed austerities beyond human measure.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 20 (5.186.20)

निराहारा कृशा रूक्षा जटिला मलपङ्किनी । षण्मासान्वायुभक्षा च स्थाणुभूता तपोधना ॥

nirāhārā kṛśā rūkṣā jaṭilā malapaṅkinī | ṣaṇmāsānvāyubhakṣā ca sthāṇubhūtā tapodhanā

Without food, emaciated, rough-skinned, with matted hair, smeared with dirt and mud, for six months she lived on air, standing still as a post, rich in austerity.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 21 (5.186.21)

यमुनाजलमाश्रित्य संवत्सरमथाऽपरम् । उदवासं निराहारा पारयामास भामिनी ॥

yamunājalamāśritya saṃvatsaramathā'param | udavāsaṃ nirāhārā pārayāmāsa bhāminī

Then, taking to the waters of the Yamuna, the lady spent another year dwelling in the water without food.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 22 (5.186.22)

शीर्णपर्णेन चैकेन पारयामास सा परम् । संवत्सरं तीव्रकोपा पादाङ्गुष्ठाग्रधिष्ठिता ॥

śīrṇaparṇena caikena pārayāmāsa sā param | saṃvatsaraṃ tīvrakopā pādāṅguṣṭhāgradhiṣṭhitā

Then, fierce in her anger, she spent a further year living on a single fallen leaf, standing on the tips of her toes.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 23 (5.186.23)

एवं द्वादश वर्षाणि तापयामास रोदसी । निवर्त्यमानापि च सा ज्ञातिभिर्नैव शक्यते ॥

evaṃ dvādaśa varṣāṇi tāpayāmāsa rodasī | nivartyamānāpi ca sā jñātibhirnaiva śakyate

Thus for twelve years she scorched heaven and earth; and though her kinsmen tried to turn her back, she could not be dissuaded.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 24 (5.186.24)

ततोऽगमद्वत्सभूमिं सिद्धचारणसेविताम् । आश्रमं पुण्यशीलानां तापसानां महात्मनाम् ॥

tato'gamadvatsabhūmiṃ siddhacāraṇasevitām | āśramaṃ puṇyaśīlānāṃ tāpasānāṃ mahātmanām

Then she went to the land of the Vatsas, frequented by Siddhas and Charanas, to the hermitage of great-souled ascetics of holy conduct.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 25 (5.186.25)

तत्र पुण्येषु तीर्थेषु साऽऽप्लुताङ्गी दिवानिशम् । व्यचरत्काशिकन्या सा यथाकामविचारिणी ॥

tatra puṇyeṣu tīrtheṣu sā''plutāṅgī divāniśam | vyacaratkāśikanyā sā yathākāmavicāriṇī

There the daughter of Kashi roamed as she pleased among the holy places of pilgrimage, bathing day and night.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 26 (5.186.26)

नन्दाश्रमे महाराज तथोलूकाश्रमे शुभे । च्यवनस्याश्रमे चैव ब्रह्मणः स्थान एव च ॥

nandāśrame mahārāja tatholūkāśrame śubhe | cyavanasyāśrame caiva brahmaṇaḥ sthāna eva ca

In the hermitage of Nanda, great king, and in the lovely hermitage of Uluka, in the hermitage of Chyavana and at the abode of Brahma;

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 27 (5.186.27)

प्रयागे देवयजने देवारण्येषु चैव ह । भोगवत्यां महाराज कौशिकस्याश्रमे तथा ॥

prayāge devayajane devāraṇyeṣu caiva ha | bhogavatyāṃ mahārāja kauśikasyāśrame tathā

at Prayaga, the place where the gods sacrificed, and in the forests of the gods; at Bhogavati, great king, and in the hermitage of Kaushika;

Note on the text: Corrected त्रयागे → प्रयागे (misprint in Wikisource; त्र for प्र; the critical edition reads prayāge). Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 28 (5.186.28)

माण्डव्यस्याश्रमे राजन्दिलीपस्याश्रमे तथा । रामह्रदे च कौरव्य पैलगर्गस्य चाश्रमे ॥

māṇḍavyasyāśrame rājandilīpasyāśrame tathā | rāmahrade ca kauravya pailagargasya cāśrame

in the hermitage of Mandavya, O king, and the hermitage of Dilipa, at Ramahrada, O Kauravya, and in the hermitage of Pailagarga —

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 29 (5.186.29)

एतेषु तीर्थेषु तदा काशिकन्या विशांपते । आप्लावयत गात्राणि व्रतमास्थाय दुष्करम् ॥

eteṣu tīrtheṣu tadā kāśikanyā viśāṃpate | āplāvayata gātrāṇi vratamāsthāya duṣkaram

at these holy places, lord of the people, the daughter of Kashi bathed her limbs, keeping a hard vow.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 30 (5.186.30)

तामब्रवीच्च कौरव्य मम माता जले स्थिता । किमर्थं क्लिश्यसे भद्रे तथ्यमेव वदस्व मे ॥

tāmabravīcca kauravya mama mātā jale sthitā | kimarthaṃ kliśyase bhadre tathyameva vadasva me

And my mother, standing in the water, said to her, O Kauravya: "Why do you torment yourself, good lady? Tell me the truth."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 31 (5.186.31)

सैनामथाब्रवीद्राजन्कृताञ्जलिरनिन्दिता । भीष्मेण समरे रामो निर्जितश्चारुलोचनि ॥

saināmathābravīdrājankṛtāñjaliraninditā | bhīṣmeṇa samare rāmo nirjitaścārulocani

Then the blameless maiden, her palms joined, answered her, O king: "Lovely-eyed lady, Rama has been defeated in battle by Bhishma."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 32 (5.186.32)

कोऽन्यस्तमुत्सहेज्जेतुमुद्यतेषुं महीपतिः । साहं भीष्मविनाशाय तपस्तप्स्ये सुदारुणम् ॥

ko'nyastamutsahejjetumudyateṣuṃ mahīpatiḥ | sāhaṃ bhīṣmavināśāya tapastapsye sudāruṇam

"What other lord of the earth could dare to conquer him when he raises his arrows? So I shall practise the most terrible austerities for Bhishma's destruction.

Note on the text: Corrected उत्सहेञ्जेतुम् → उत्सहेज्जेतुम् (misprint in Wikisource; ञ्ज for ज्ज, utsahet + jetum; the critical edition reads utsahej jetum). Speaker set to Amba: the verse is wholly her speech, introduced by verse 31 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 33 (5.186.33)

विचरामि महीं देवि यथा हन्यामहं नृपम् । एतद्व्रतफलं देवि परमस्मिन्यथा हि मे ॥

vicarāmi mahīṃ devi yathā hanyāmahaṃ nṛpam | etadvrataphalaṃ devi paramasminyathā hi me

I roam the earth, goddess, so that I may slay that king. This, goddess, is the supreme fruit I seek from my vow."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Amba: the verse is wholly her speech, introduced by verse 31 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 34 (5.186.34)

ततोऽब्रवीत्सागरगा जिह्मं चरसि भामिनि । नैष कामोऽनवद्याङ्गि शक्यः प्राप्तुं त्वयाऽबले ॥

tato'bravītsāgaragā jihmaṃ carasi bhāmini | naiṣa kāmo'navadyāṅgi śakyaḥ prāptuṃ tvayā'bale

Then the river that runs to the ocean said: "You walk a crooked path, lady. This desire cannot be won by you, frail girl of flawless limbs."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 35 (5.186.35)

यदि भीष्मविनाशाय काश्ये चरसि वै व्रतम् । व्रतस्था च शरीरं त्वं यदि नाम विमोक्ष्यसि ॥

yadi bhīṣmavināśāya kāśye carasi vai vratam | vratasthā ca śarīraṃ tvaṃ yadi nāma vimokṣyasi

"If, daughter of Kashi, you keep this vow for Bhishma's destruction, and if you cast off your body while still bound by the vow,

Note on the text: This verse is CE 5.187.34ab–cd; the critical edition divides verses 35–38 differently (CE 5.187.34–37), so the alignment left them unmatched. Speaker set to Ganga: the verse is wholly her speech to Amba, introduced by verse 34 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 36 (5.186.36)

नदी भविष्यसि शुभे कुटिला वार्षिकोदका । दुस्तीर्था न तु विज्ञेया वार्षिकी नाष्टमासिकी ॥

nadī bhaviṣyasi śubhe kuṭilā vārṣikodakā | dustīrthā na tu vijñeyā vārṣikī nāṣṭamāsikī

you will become a river, fair one, crooked, with water only in the rains, hard to ford and not to be known, flowing in the rainy season alone and dry for eight months,

Note on the text: The first line is CE 5.187.34ef, the second CE 5.187.35ab, with न तु विज्ञेया for cānabhijñeyā (kept as a variant). Speaker set to Ganga: the verse is wholly her speech to Amba, introduced by verse 34 (Wikisource prints no heading; the input carried राम).

Verse 37 (5.186.37)

भीमग्राहवती घोरा सर्वभूतभयंकरी । एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्काशिकन्यां न्यवर्तत ॥

bhīmagrāhavatī ghorā sarvabhūtabhayaṃkarī | evamuktvā tato rājankāśikanyāṃ nyavartata

fearsome, full of terrible crocodiles, a terror to all creatures." Having said this to the daughter of Kashi, O king, she turned back —

Note on the text: The first line is CE 5.187.35cd, the second CE 5.187.36ab (the critical edition divides these verses differently). The first line ends Ganga's speech; the second is narration, so the speaker is Bhishma (the input carried राम).

Verse 38 (5.186.38)

माता मम महाभागा स्मयमानेव भामिनी । कदाचिदष्टमे मासि कदाचिद्दशमे तथा । न प्राश्नीतोदकमपि पुनः सा वरवर्णिनी ॥

mātā mama mahābhāgā smayamāneva bhāminī | kadācidaṣṭame māsi kadāciddaśame tathā | na prāśnītodakamapi punaḥ sā varavarṇinī

my illustrious mother, the lovely lady, as though smiling. And the fair maiden again went without even water, sometimes for eight months, sometimes for ten.

Note on the text: The first line is CE 5.187.36cd, the other two CE 5.187.37 (the critical edition divides these verses differently). Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 39 (5.186.39)

सा वत्सभूमिं कौरव्य तीर्थलोभात्ततस्ततः । पतिता परिधावन्ती पुनः काशिपतेः सुता ॥

sā vatsabhūmiṃ kauravya tīrthalobhāttatastataḥ | patitā paridhāvantī punaḥ kāśipateḥ sutā

Wandering here and there in her craving for holy places, the daughter of the lord of Kashi came once more, O Kauravya, to the land of the Vatsas.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 40 (5.186.40)

सा नदी वत्सभूम्यां तु प्रथिताम्बेति भारत । वार्षिकी ग्राहबहुला दुस्तीर्था कुटिला तथा ॥

sā nadī vatsabhūmyāṃ tu prathitāmbeti bhārata | vārṣikī grāhabahulā dustīrthā kuṭilā tathā

In the land of the Vatsas, O Bharata, she is known as the river Amba, flowing only in the rains, full of crocodiles, hard to ford and crooked.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).

Verse 41 (5.186.41)

सा कन्या तपसा तेन देहार्धेन व्यजायत । नदी च राजन्वत्सेषु कन्या चैवाभवत्तदा ॥

sā kanyā tapasā tena dehārdhena vyajāyata | nadī ca rājanvatseṣu kanyā caivābhavattadā

Through that austerity the maiden was born with half her body as a river among the Vatsas, O king, and remained a maiden still.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhishma (narration; the input carried राम over from verses 1–4).